Daniel Ranes, 90, a veteran of WWII, recounts his years as a soldier, Thursday, May 24, 2012, at the Miami VA, where he lives. A photo of a young 19-year-old Ranes enlisted in the Army, is in the background. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Daniel Ranes, 90, a veteran of WWII, recounts his years as a soldier, Thursday, May 24, 2012, at the Miami VA, where he lives. A photo of a young 19-year-old Ranes enlisted in the Army, is in the background. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Richard Luis Melendez, 36, who now works at the Miami VA, tells the story of a good friend and fellow soldier, who was wounded in Afghanistan, Thursday, May 24, 2012. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Sol Tappan, 89, lives at the Miami VA. He talks about his life and the friends he lost in combat, Thursday, May 24, 2012. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Richard Luis Melendez, left, and his combat buddy, Nelson Mendoza, while in fire base Robinson, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Melendez, who works at the Miami VA, related the story of his buddy being wounded, Thursday, May 24, 2012. MARICE COHN BAND / MIAMI HERALD STAFF